Andi Dorfman: Being on 'Bachelorette' isn't easy

This image released by ABC shows Andi Dorfman on the premiere episode of "The Bachelorette."

NEW YORK — Andi Dorfman dropped out of the competition last season on "The Bachelor," saying Juan Pablo Galavis seemed too self-centered and disrespectful, earning her support from viewers and ultimately the spot of ABC's newest "Bachelorette."

As her season on "The Bachelorette" was set to kick off Monday night (9:30 p.m. EDT), Dorfman says she's "definitely glad" she's on the show, but adds the process is difficult and makes her understand what Galavis went through.

"I finally was able kind of to put myself in his shoes and you know it's not as easy as it seems," she said in a recent interview. "It's not as glamorous as it comes off on TV, so I've definitely seen a different side to it and put myself in his shoes."

The 27-year-old says "it's tough to say 'no' to people. It's tough to feel responsible for 25 guys and know what they have done to get to where they are and put themselves on the line and be, you know, respectful of that and it's hard. It's very hard to hurt people, especially when they're great, genuine guys."

She says viewers who may be cynical should know there's more to the dates than what is aired.

"These dates that you might see last 10 minutes are sometimes actually lasting 10 hours, and there is a lot of time that you really, really get to know these people, and the guys this season were so open and honest and told me about their past and their fears and really got in depth and I think that allows for that love to happen. It's beyond what viewers see a lot of times."

Dorfman says this season is dedicated to Eric Hill, who died shortly after he was sent home from the show. The Citrus Heights, California, native was paragliding in Utah when his parachute collapsed and he crashed into the side of a mountain.

"We want viewers to know Eric was an amazing guy who really lived life to the fullest," Dorfman says. "That's the message we really want to send to viewers. It's a sad thing, and we also want to honor him because he had an amazing life and that should be seen by America."